SJPL Staff's Top Books of 2025Like this list

60 items

• The Ocean's Menagerie

  How Earth's Strangest Creatures Reshape the Rules of Life

  Harvell, C. Drew, 1954-

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  I read this in hardcover format. This book will give you some insight into the creatures that live in our oceans, and what the oceans do to sustain life and weather. - Lisa

• The Ornithologist's Field Guide to Love

  Holton, India,

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  This historical fantasy rom-com was an absolute hoot! (See what I did there?). I also thoroughly enjoyed the second book in the trilogy, The Geographer's Map to Romance, and I am looking forward to the third book being published in 2026. I highly…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Dungeon Crawler Carl

  a Novel

  Dinniman, Matt,

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  A man traversing through dungeons trying to save the planet Earth with the help of his ex-girlfriend's cat, Princess Donut by his side. - Brian

• Project Hail Mary

  a Novel

  Weir, Andy,

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  I've enjoyed Andy Weir's books ever since The Martian, and even got to host a virtual visit from him at the King Library about ten years ago. I loved the humor, optimism, and interplanetary friendship portrayed in Project Hail Mary, and am now very…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Let Them Theory

  a Life-changing Tool That Millions of People Can't Stop Talking About

  Robbins, Mel, 1968-

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  This book helps build a mindset that encourages readers to stop over controlling or over thinking how others perceive them and instead let people think, say, or do whatever they choose and without taking it personally. I enjoyed the audiobook while…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The King and Queen of Malibu

  the True Story of the Battle for Paradise

  Randall, David K.,

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  Very well researched and described history of the Malibu area. The book details the "wild west" era in this rugged but breathtakingly beautiful area. The book details the geographic history of the place as well as the original land owners doomed…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Book of Magic

  Hoffman, Alice,

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  I loved the magic of the world that Alice Hoffman creates in her fiction to reflect the world we live in: the natural world coming alive in the spring--the magnolias and lilacs blooming, the first love of youth and the love of family and friends. …Read moreRead more of this annotation

• I Am the Swarm

  Chewins, Hayley,

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  Y/A novel about recognizing the power in your emotions, especially anger. It is also about finding people who accept you and not running away from acceptance because of fear. -Kaitlin

• Sunrise on the Reaping

  Collins, Suzanne,

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  I love the series of Hunger Games books written by Suzanne Collins. This latest one was great and I thought it would make a good movie. - Catherine

• The Name of the Rose

  Eco, Umberto

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  A dense, but rewarding murder mystery that's deeply invested in culture and history. The message that "authority doesn't inherently deserve respect; that it should be laughed at when necessary" is reassuring in our current political moment. -Chelsea

• Mistborn

  the Final Empire

  Sanderson, Brandon,

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  "It tells the story of a street urchin girl who becomes embroiled in a high fantasy heist-like plot to overtake a kingdom ruled by a tyrannical God-Emperor. It's got it all: a hard magic system, class dynamics, and fights that will keep you on the…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Furysong

  Munda, Rosaria,

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  "Furysong is the final book in a YA fantasy-dystopian trilogy inspired by Plato’s Republic. The story unfolds in the aftermath of a bloody revolution that wiped out much of the upper class. Across the series, themes of class, power, meritocracy, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Big Chicas Don't Cry

  Chavez Macias, Annette,

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  "I read a physical copy of the book. The book showcases what it means to be a part of a Mexican Family. Forgiveness is how we grow and family is stronger together. All main characters are women and it is a very uplifting story about reuniting with…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Lion Women of Tehran

  a Novel

  Kamali, Marjan,

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  "I read a physical copy of the book. It is an extremely gripping book on friendship and how it survives through its test of times. It is a total page turner. Highly recommended! " - Mandira

• Lost Connections

  Uncovering the Real Causes of Depression-- and the Unexpected Solutions

  Hari, Johann,

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  "I read it with the audiobook and the physical hardcover version in hand. This book gives a great insight on depression and mental health and shows how common struggles we all face are easier to overcome than we first think." - Andrew

• Us, after : a memoir of love and suicide / Rachel Zimmerman.

  View on iii.com

  "Dealing with the grief of losing a loved one in a tragic way is tough. In “Us, After: A Memoir of Love and Suicide,” journalist Rachel Zimmerman writes about suddenly losing her husband Seth, a MIT robotics professor, to suicide. Those who have…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• To the Bone

  Bruzas, Alena,

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  "To the Bone is dark historical fiction with lots of horror elements as well. It allows us to see the horrors of colonial America without the thin film of patriotism that often covers historical fiction of this era. It is refreshing, Real, and…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• She Loves to Cook, and She Loves to Eat. 1

  Yuzaki, Sakaomi,

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  "This short 5-volume series contains everything from yummy food, found family, sweet slow burn romance, disordered eating, and social commentary on common discriminatory housing practices wrapped up in a heartfelt and compassionate cozy read I…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• The Book of Azrael

  Nicole, Amber,

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  "I read this as an eBook on my kindle and fell in love with the entire series! It is an amazing adult dark fantasy book with paranormal aspects as well as Gods and beasts of all kinds throughout the series. Enemies to lovers is done in the best way…Read moreRead more of this annotation

• Onyx Storm

  Yarros, Rebecca,

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  "Onyx Storm is a romantasy that sweeps you into a world of magic, danger, star-crossed love, lightning storms and dragons. I listened to the full-cast audiobook on Libby, and it brings the story to another level with its immersive performances." -Duy